Spend a whole week or even just a few days at the world renowned Escola de Equitação de Alcainça. Each day you will work closely with and learn much from the knowledgeable professional trainers of dressage on site (tuition available from novice through to high school dressage!). The town of Alcainça lies only 25 miles northwest of Lisbon, 4 miles from the famous cloister of Mafra, and 6 miles from the stunning Atlantic Coast. It is surrounded by wild pastures and small forests. The Atlantic Ocean on the west coast helps assure a nice, even temperature throughout the year so that even in the heights of July and August it never gets too hot to ride. Your gracious host, Salette Rodrigues, will make you feel right at home.

The school's director, George Malleroni, studied with the legendary Nuno Oliveira for the last 10 years of the master's life. The instructors here are some of the finest dressage riders in the world, who can give lessons on any level. The riding school provides 20 highly trained Lusitano stallions for their guests. The program includes two 1.5 hour sessions per day - leaving very little time for activities other than a dip in the pool or sun tanning between lessons, so we advise if you wish to fit sight-seeing in as well into this intensive program you save some days on either end of your stay at Alcainça or downgrade to the one session per day. The groups are small, personalized and always divided according to riding level so that every rider gets a lot of personal attention.

Itinerary for
Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program A

With this program you spend a week riding at Escola de Equitação de Alcainça. Each day you will train with professional instructors for 2 riding lessons per day Alcainca Program A. - Morning & afternoon sessions) or for 1 session per day (Alcainca Program B. - either in the morning or afternoon). The magnificent horses are well trained and the instructors are some of the finest dressage riders in the world available for lessons of any level (the instructors speak English as well as French!). The center has three instructors, with Head Instructor being the renowned Georges Malleroni. Within a short time you will improve your riding level. Your gracious host is Salette Rodrigues.

Prior to your first lesson you will have the chance to talk with your instructor about what you are currently doing and what you hope to achieve from the holiday and your courses. An interest in dressage is important on this holiday; you will need to be willing to learn from the experienced instructors to get the most out of your holiday. Riders should be balanced and independent at walk, trot and canter, and it is an advantage to know the basic lateral movements such as shoulder-in and half-pass.

Following an individual rider assessment, riders are divided into groups of 1-3 according to their riding ability and experience, in order to ensure every student receives proper individual attention from the instructor.

Our lessons take as long as the rider needs to achieve the particular goal for the lesson. In general, the group lessons are about 90 minutes long, with the individual lessons a bit shorter. This format of intensive interaction between riders and instructors delivers productive and valuable learning.

Sample Riding Program:
The warm-up consists of 30 minutes of lateral work at the walk: counter shoulder-in, leg yield, zigzag, half pass and shoulder-in on small circles. The movements are done slowly in the classical manner of four tracks. Riders remain almost constantly on circles and bends. Then, a brisk rising trot period follows and leads into more collected work. Group lessons teach riders to pay attention to rhythm and be efficient with their aids. Escola de Equitaçao's style of dressage is rooted in lightness and following the Portuguese tradition, focuses more on artistry and on expression. The Portuguese way of dressage evolved from the bullfighter's needs to control their horses at all times and being able to place them instantly anywhere the rider wishes. The Lusitano can sit back on his haunches and collect his gaits extremely well, freeing his forehand for quick turns.

During your stay, you may also have the opportunity to experience high-school movements such as the Spanish walk, levade, piaffe and passage. Believing that riders learn mostly by feeling, Malleroni aids the horse and tells the rider to just sit and feel the movement.
After a busy day, students enjoy a rustic Portuguese dinner and local wines. The day's experiences are exchanged, videos about classical dressage are watched or the local pubs of Alcainça are explored.

Under the direction of Georges Malleroni, Alcainça became a dressage stable in which you will find horses at different training levels. You can indeed look forward to getting a mount which is not only well-tempered and of a docile character but who will allow you to explore the great feeling of riding a well-trained dressage horse.

The HorsesThe Lusitanos, which come from the same origin as the famous Andalusians, can be considered as some of the finest horses in Europe, especially for dressage. Together with their Spanish brothers, the Lusitanos were the first horses which were brought to the New World and thus became ancestors of all American breeds. The Lusitano horses were at their full grandeur when the classical dressage of 'Haute Ecole' was having its era throughout the last centuries, before the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) requested the performance of extension in modern dressage. This is a movement which can only be performed in a limited way by Lusitanos as these horses have never been chosen for respect to long strides. They are instead known for their splendid abilities and glamour performing the collected movements.

Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Passport Note(a) Sufficient fu. more

Climate for
Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program A

The Atlantic Ocean on the west coast keeps an even temperature for the riding center throughout the year so that even in summer it never gets too hot.

In spring approx. 12° to 20° C with many sunny days, but rain is always possible. During summer approximately 22° to 28° C and dry. During fall 17° to 22° C, many sunny days, but rain always possible again.

The temperatures are never extreme and you will usually find it very pleasant for riding. However, be prepared for quick showers which may occasionally occur. The main "rainy season" in Portugal is from November to April.

What to Bring for
Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program A

Informal attire prevails during this ride; however riding breeches and high boots are most appropriate for the lessons. Casual sportswear is appropriate for the evenings. Do bring a sweater and jacket for the cooler evenings. We do recommend that you obtain a belt pack to carry your valuables and other small items while out hacking. We also like to carry along some leathers for tying things to the saddle.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding breeches

High riding boots

Riding helmet (best to bring your own, riding center does not have any to lend out)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Lightweight Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for the emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films and batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Video for
Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program A

Google Map for
Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program A

Average Tour Ratings for
Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program A

*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.

Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.

Accommodations for
Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program A

Set on a hill-side, the farm was originally built as traditional “Quinta”, a Portuguese country estate, complete with stables, indoor and outdoor schools, as well as an antique bullfighting arena which is nowadays used for traditional working equitation sessions or as a turnout for our horses.

You will be staying in the newly constructed guesthouse at the riding school (four double rooms with private bath) or at the adjoining facilities (three rooms with two separate baths). Available also is swimming pool, billiards, and living room with fireplace and TV.

Under the direction of Georges Malleroni, Alcainça became a dressage stable in which you will find horses at different training levels. You can indeed look forward to getting a mount which is not only well-tempered and of a docile character but who will allow you to explore the great feeling of riding a well-trained dressage horse.

The HorsesThe Lusitanos, which come from the same origin as the famous Andalusians, can be considered as some of the finest horses in Europe, especially for dressage. Together with their Spanish brothers, the Lusitanos were the first horses which were brought to the New World and thus became ancestors of all American breeds. The Lusitano horses were at their full grandeur when the classical dressage of 'Haute Ecole' was having its era throughout the last centuries, before the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) requested the performance of extension in modern dressage. This is a movement which can only be performed in a limited way by Lusitanos as these horses have never been chosen for respect to long strides. They are instead known for their splendid abilities and glamour performing the collected movements.

Visa Requirement For
Lusitano Riding Centre Alcainca Program A

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
(a) Sufficient funds are required for all except EU nationals. (b) Portugal is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy/consulate to check visa requirements

Passport Required?

British

Yes

Australian

Yes

Canadian

Yes

USA

Yes

Other EU

1

Visa Required?

British

No

Australian

No

Canadian

No

USA

No

Other EU

No

Return Ticket Required?

British

No

Australian

No

Canadian

No

USA

No

Other EU

No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.